Authors: Maria V. Snyder
It had taken Kerrick nearly an hour to convince the tribal leaders to let him search alone and not with hundreds of warriors bumbling around the woods. Not only would that many people interfere with his magic, but they might ruin any trail signs left behind. It had been a difficult concept for them to understand, having lived all their lives in the flat wildlands.
And asking for his sword had caused another intense debate. The last thing he wanted was to run into a couple rogue warriors and be unable to defend himself. Kerrick rested his hand on the hilt of the sword, its familiar weight a comfort.
Pushing his magic as far as he could to the east, he connected with the living green, seeking any irritations or sore spots that would indicate another person walked among its home. Nothing, except the hollow void that meant a cave about a mile away.
He smiled, remembering Avry’s aversion to them. Unlike Kerrick, who held a certain fondness for them since they had made love for the first time in one, and the second time and the third... Before he could wallow in his memories, he returned his attention to the problem at hand.
They weren’t hiding in this section of the forest, but they might be overnighting in the cave. Better check and make sure. Kerrick jogged through the underbrush without causing a sound. After tonight, he’d probably sleep for a week. When he drew close to the entrance, he slowed, then stopped about fifty feet away. Once again he scanned the area with his magic, but no one guarded the entrance.
He crept closer. The faint scent of wood smoke reached him. The first positive sign since the tuble petal. Kerrick parted the vines, revealing a three-foot-wide by four-foot-high crack in the rock face. A flickering, orange-yellow glow reflected off the jagged wall just inside. No voices murmured, only the small pops from the fire.
If he was lucky, they would be asleep. If not...
Crouching down, he entered. A few flames clung to the dying fire. Stretched out next to it was a woman. She was asleep. Kerrick glanced around the small cavern, seeking others. But it was empty.
He studied the woman—no doubt Rakel. Long limbs, lean and a powerful build like her brother, Noak. Her white-blond hair had been braided into one long plait. It took a moment for him to notice her split lip, the purple bruises on her right cheek and her ripped shirt. Still-wet blood stained the front of her white tunic. A dadao rested next to her within easy reach. Dried blood coated the edge of it.
It appeared Rakel might have fought off her captor. Kerrick inched closer. Was she injured? A sheen of sweat glistened on her brow. She also looked flushed, but it was hard to tell in the dim light.
He took another step. Rakel jerked awake. In one smooth move, she hopped to her feet, grabbed her weapon and pointed it at Kerrick.
“Don’t come closer,” she ordered.
“Easy,” he said, holding out his empty hands.
Her gaze slid past him. The vibrant green of her eyes matched the forest. Since all the other tribespeople had blue eyes, Kerrick wondered if the color was due to her summer magic.
“I’m alone.”
She huffed in disbelief. “Noak sends his dog to track me down, fetch me home. And he’s all alone?”
“He asked me to find you. He thought you’d been taken against your will.”
A harsh laugh. “Everything has been against my will.”
Even though her comment could be interpreted many ways, Kerrick guessed it had to do with her upcoming marriage. “Did you escape from your seclusion?”
“I will not go back.”
And that would be a yes. “But—”
“I will die before I marry. I will not be bound!” She charged.
Instinctively, Kerrick twisted. The dadao’s sharp tip narrowly missed his stomach. He trapped her weapon against his chest and stepped back, pulling her off balance. She released her grip, recovered her footing and pulled a dagger.
Kerrick clasped the hilt of her dadao, but she aimed the blade at her own neck. He dropped her sword and tackled her. The dagger flew from her grasp on impact. She stilled under him, panting as if she’d run for miles. Kerrick rolled off her but kept alert for any sudden movement.
Rakel squeezed her eyes shut for a moment. Fresh blood soaked the front of her shirt.
“You’re injured,” he said.
“Leave me to die, then.”
“I can’t.”
“You are afraid of Noak.”
“With good reason. His Winter’s Curse is unlike anything I’ve experienced before, but I’m more terrified of a certain healer I know who would kill me if she ever found out I left you to die.” And Belen wouldn’t be happy either. He leaned back on his heels. “May I?” He gestured to her stomach.
With resignation, she pulled the fabric up, revealing a long deep slice all the way across her waist. Kerrick wasn’t an expert, but he’d seen his share of battle wounds, and this one didn’t look good.
“You need care. Won’t your father reconsider your marriage to Olave since you’re unhappy?”
“He cares not for my...happiness. Only for the tribe.”
“Is there another you wish to marry? One who can challenge Olave or your father?”
Pain creased her expression. “Arkin. But...my father...killed him.”
Hell. Kerrick knew he couldn’t take her back to the tribe. He considered his only option—help her escape. Double hell.
Bandaging her wound with strips he cut from her pants, he tied the ends tight. He brought her water and a handful of those fuzzy plant’s orange berries to eat. Danny had pointed them out earlier and said they helped with blood loss. Kerrick added wood to the fire, made her comfortable and promised to return.
He staggered from the forest an hour before dawn. No need to act exhausted. Canute, Olave and Noak didn’t visibly react when he informed them that he’d searched the forest and found no signs of Rakel.
“They must be hiding in the city,” Kerrick said. “Or have gone north. Maybe back to Vilde Lander.”
“We wasted time with your dog, Noak,” Olave said.
“Send warriors door to door,” Canute ordered his son. “Olave, take Oya—she’s the fastest horse—and go north.”
If he had any energy, he would have been surprised by Canute’s trust. Instead he trudged to the library and woke Danny. The boy squinted at him, his hair sleep tousled.
“Wake me in four hours,” Kerrick said.
“Why? What happened?”
“It’s better if you don’t know.” Kerrick collapsed in his bed, hoping his scheme wouldn’t get Danny killed.
CHAPTER 18
Tohon stood and held his hand out to me. “Time for bed, my dear.”
His words sliced through my grief over Belen and worry for Ryne. I stared at him without moving.
He twitched his fingers in annoyance. I glanced at the guards stationed by the door.
“Go ahead,” he said in a tight, dangerous voice. “Give me a reason to heed Cellina’s advice.”
She had told Tohon flat-out to kill me. I considered my options. Sleep with Tohon or be killed.
“Can I sleep on the couch?” I asked.
“No.” And when I didn’t move, he said, “You really try my patience. What do you think is going to happen?”
“Uh...”
“I already told you I won’t force myself on you.”
I couldn’t trust him and his ridiculous plan to woo me, but I didn’t have much choice. So I took his hand, and we entered Estrid’s bedroom. The huge canopy bed occupied almost the entire area. The two night tables next to it seemed tiny in comparison. There was a small washroom in the back. I ducked inside and changed into my uniform. Even though I was on the fourth floor and surrounded by guards, an opportunity to escape might present itself. A girl could hope.
Tohon snorted in amusement when I rejoined him. He lounged on the right side of the bed under the covers. I slid in on the left side, staying as far away from him as possible.
“Good night, my dear.” Tohon leaned over, gave me a chaste kiss on my cheek, then extinguished the lantern.
I stared at the darkness, reeling from the events of the day. Tohon’s breathing slowed as he fell asleep. My emotions seesawed from grief over Poppa Bear to pure rage at Tohon for turning him into one of his dead. Tears gushed, and I muffled my sobs with the pillow.
In order to pull myself together, I concentrated on how I could send a message to Ryne about the ufa pack. I could enlist one of my caregivers to alert him, but Cellina planned to leave in the morning. By then it would be too late. Too bad no other solutions came to mind. Eventually, I drifted off.
And for the first time in months, Tohon didn’t invade my dreams.
* * *
Cellina barged into the bedroom around dawn. Tohon roused next to me, scowling at her. He had been a perfect gentleman all night.
Before Tohon could say a word, Cellina blurted, “They’re gone.”
“The pack?” he asked.
“No. Estrid’s soldiers. They’re not in their tents.”
“Did you search the town?”
“Of course.”
Tohon sat up. “Well, they couldn’t have gotten far. The encirclement is still in place.”
“Maybe they heard how you planned to ensure their cooperation.”
“Doubtful. Only you and Sepp know.”
Cellina glanced at me. The force of her hatred slammed into me.
“Avry doesn’t know. Estrid’s troops are probably hiding within the encirclement. Go find Ulany,” he ordered.
“Ulany hasn’t checked in,” Cellina said.
She was the earth magician who had buried the dead to trick us. I almost cheered but kept my emotions in control. For an area that was supposed to be secure, there were quite a number of missing persons. I hoped Ryne and his men were among them.
“Send a squad out to find her,” he snapped, getting out of bed. He wore a pair of black silk pajama bottoms and nothing else. Tohon caught me staring at his muscular chest and leered. “Like what you see, my dear?”
I didn’t answer, but Cellina made a sound that could have been a growl.
“Cellina, go. I’ll be out shortly.”
She shot me another lethal look before leaving.
“Don’t mind her, my dear. She’s jealous.” He seemed unconcerned.
While I was glad Estrid’s troops were missing, I worried over Cellina’s comment about Tohon’s plans for them. It wasn’t a surprise as I’d already theorized a few nasty outcomes to Saul. And the one that made the most sense caused me to shudder.
“You’re going to kill all of Estrid’s troops,” I said. “And turn them into your dead.”
Tohon paused as he dressed. “Is that a guess?”
“No.”
“Dead soldiers are loyal and obedient. I have more realms to conquer, and since I have to leave some of my men and officers to keep the peace in my new realms, I need to expand my army.” He shrugged, as if murdering thousands of men and women was of little consequence. Tohon must have noticed my horror. “I promise they won’t suffer, my dear. As each one enters to offer his allegiance, I’ll pluck his life with my magic. It’s usually quick and painless.”
“Usually?”
“If I’m annoyed, then I can make it quite painful.” He gave me a significant look.
I clutched the blanket in tight fists, wishing I could wrap my hands around Tohon’s neck and zap him. Too bad once I touched his skin his magic overpowered mine. Maybe I could warn Estrid’s soldiers. If they were still here. That thought helped ease my anger.
Tohon said, “You can work in the infirmary today while I find the missing army.” He left the room.
Tohon didn’t appear concerned over the new developments and seemed quite confident he’d locate Estrid’s troops. He had a good reason for his attitude. Estrid’s army had tried to break through the ring of dead and failed.
When I joined him in the receiving area, I stopped short for two reasons. One—Noelle waited for her orders. Two—four dead soldiers waited with her. Three men and one woman.
Noelle stood as far away from them as possible. She stared at them with a combination of utter revulsion and fear. Ah, her first encounter with them. Unfortunately, I understood too well how she felt. The dead wore grubby and tattered uniforms. Protective metal collars ringed all their necks. Lifeless eyes gazed at nothing. At least I didn’t recognize any of them.
A terrible thought swelled. What would I do if I encountered Belen? Or even worse, if I were in a position to stop him? He’d want me to release him from the horror. Could I? Or could I “wake” him like Flea? Would my touch counter Tohon’s?
Tohon pointed at me and addressed his dead. “She is not allowed to leave this building. Understand?”
They all nodded in unison. Creepy.
“You go where she goes. Do not let her out of your sight. Understand?” he asked.
Once again, they nodded.
He turned to me. “Sorry, my dear. I know how much they repulse you, but I also know that you can’t use your magic on them. When you’re not with me, you’ll be with them.” Tohon snapped his fingers at Noelle. “Come, girl.”
Noelle hurried after him. But before she left, she shot me her blech face. When she was little and had tasted something awful, she’d stick out her tongue and squeeze her eyes shut. Despite the prospect of spending the day with the dead, I smiled.
* * *
I worked in the infirmary for the remainder of the morning. My dead bodyguards stood next to the door, watching my every move. Their presence made my patients uneasy, but I couldn’t do anything about it. I wondered what would happen to those in my care. If Estrid’s troops had escaped, leaving them behind, would Tohon make an example out of them? Probably.
If he killed them... My legs trembled and I sat down as reality caught up to me. I couldn’t bear more deaths on top of Kerrick, Belen, Liv, Thea and Ursan’s. The additional grief would crush me. I let my morose thoughts run rampant. My muscles shook with the effort to keep from bawling. Taking deep breaths, I recovered my composure one inhalation at a time. Now I understood why my mentor, Tara, hadn’t talked about her healing experiences on the battlefield.
I checked on Sergeant Enric. The knife wound on his thigh had healed, but I wasn’t sure what to do with him. His squad had left without him. Enric reminded me of Ursan—tall, muscular, with his brown hair cut bristle-brush short. His desire for action was evident in his restless agitation.